|
Adjutant Generals Department
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| Rail Road Bureau C. S. A. |
| Hd. Qtrs. Jackson Miss. Mch 26th 1863 |
| |
| Walter Goodman Esqr. |
| Prest. Miss. Central RRd |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your favor of the 23d inst relative to the
settlement of your accounts reached me today; and yesterday your
application, made Feby 21st to Maj. L. Mims Chf Q. M., at this place,
was referred to my department for consideration. The position I occupy
does not warrant a discussion, on my part, of the right of the
Mississippi Central Railroad to fix its own rate for Government
transportation, nor do I consider it necessary to enter into one. I
cannot address the tariff of any Company without the consent of the
Secy of War, nor do I think he will without my recommendation. When I
make application to him for any increase I must satisfy him by
figures, that he can understand, of its necessity. These figures, I
apprehend, you can give without difficulty, as from the terms of your
letter, I judge that ??ome of your road bears ??? reasonable
proportion to its expenses. This inference is drawn from your
assertion that your Company ??? will be compelled to discontinue
trains and discharge employees soon if the Govt does not advance your
rates. An expedient I am sure you would not adopt as long as your
receipts and expenses exhibit a ??? nett income. In every case where
increased rates have been asked ??? I have requested the application
made in writing stating in the communication the gross and nett
earnings of the applicant for the past year & how much of it was
from Govt. Also the prospect for business for the ensuing year and the
Capital Stock of the Company. I have been careful to avoid asking
information as to points business of companies. Confine yourself to
such questions as will be answered in the annually published reports. |
| But you desire the matter settled now, and
so does the Govt. hence the ??spity of my asking this information that
will enable me to judge of the reasonableness of making an advance.
The willingness you express "to enter into an agreement with the
Govt. for the transportation of all persons and articles it may desire
to transport," manifests a proper spirit and your desires will
meet with corresponding fairness when I am placed in possession of the
required data, without which I cannot approach the Secy. of War. In
your letter of Feby 21st to Maj Mims you refer to a tariff adopted by
the convention at Augusta Ga. and state that "it was there
determined and assented to by the Officer of the Govt. calling the
convention." I beg to correct this impression, for I not only
declined acquiescing, but expressly stated to the Convention that I
should, as I afterwards did, report to the Secy of War adversely to
its adoption. The consequence was that the action of this body was
ignored by the Govt. and the old rates as agreed on by roads at
Columbia still obtain. I also mentioned at the same time and in
connection with my objections to a uniform rate of all roads, that the
case of each Company should be considered on its individual merits, a
policy in harmony with your views as I gather them from your letters. |
| Your cars I am having returned to the
N.O.J.&G.N. RRd {New Orleans, Jackson &
Great Northern RR} as fast as possible, and have directed
probably thirty towards Grenada in a week. The int??te connection
between your road will no doubt secure their prompt return without
further interference on my part. It is very much to be desired that
every road should keep its cats on its own track. There is no other
plan by which the present limited supply of rolling stock in the
Confederacy can be maintained and I trust it will be generally
adopted. |
| I had expected to see you before leaving
this section {end of the letter in the Archives.
It was clearly written by Col. Wadley.} |
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